Who knew that Lucille Ball once pitched wine coolers?<\/p>\n
In the 1940s and early 50s, America’s biggest winery\u00a0was Roma Wine Company\u00a0of Fresno, California.\u00a0 They claimed to be “America’s best-selling wine<\/a>… Made in California for enjoyment throughout the world.”\u00a0 Roma has since fallen off the face of the earth — as far as I can tell, no Roma product has been sold since at least the 1980s, and perhaps earlier.\u00a0 But in\u00a0the 40s Roma was riding high, sponsoring the hit <\/a>radio show<\/a> “Suspense,” and endorsed by Lucy, Jane Russell, and Joan Bennett.<\/p>\n Lucy later went on to shill for Carling’s Red Cap Ale, but in the 1948 ad pictured above she informed America how “e-a-s-y it is to keep cool with Roma Wine Coolers.”\u00a0 For example:<\/p>\n ROMA Wine & Soda – <\/strong>Pour half a glass of ROMA California Burgundy over 3 or 4 ice cubes.\u00a0 Fill with sparkling water…stir slightly…and sip your way through the coolest summer you ever enjoyed!<\/p>\n ROMA Claret Punch – <\/strong>Combine 3 cups ROMA California Claret or Burgundy with 2 cups unsweetened pineapple juice in a large water pitcher or punch bowl.\u00a0 Add ice.\u00a0 Add 1 cup sparkling water and 1\/2 cup lemon juice and stir slightly.\u00a0 Add sugar to taste.\u00a0 Garnish with lemon slices… and serve 6 to 11 delighted guests!<\/p><\/blockquote>\n